Away Everywhere Bag Review + Packing Tips

Note: this is a review of the Original Everywhere Bag; Away has also released a slightly updated version called the New Everywhere Bag. Both are available on the website at this time (it's confusing I know).

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How much testing time is needed before a review of a product can be properly written?

A month? Three months? Longer?

Hopefully, two and a half years of consistent use is good enough – because that’s how long I’ve owned my Everywhere Bag from Away.

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This post is not sponsored, but does contain affiliate links - I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, at no additional cost to you.

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I had my eye on the Everywhere Bag in Black Leather for a really long time before I finally dared to hit checkout – well, that and it kept going out of stock. At $325, it felt like an incredibly high price to pay for a bag intended to be placed on the grimy floorboard of the airplane (note for new buyers: the leather version has been removed from the site but occasionally returns during a sale here and there – in any case, you can save another $20 by shopping through my referral link).

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Looking for more reviews of Away products? Check out my review of the Carry-On Bag and set of four Packing Cubes.

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But we were flying often enough that it felt “worth it” to spend a little more on a stylish bag designed with travel in mind. I’d been flying with my Longchamp Le Pliage Tote for a few years, and while I still love it and it still looks pristine, I was ready to upgrade to something with a bit of built-in organization.

The Everywhere Bag caught my eye, as did Cuyana’s Weekender. Ultimately I decided on the Everywhere Bag as it is designed to fit under the seat of most airlines, is available in leather, and is compatible with my Carry-On bag.

But will it work for you? Read on for more info on the Everywhere Bag, my tips for packing it, and to find out if it’s right for you.

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ABOUT THE AWAY EVERYWHERE BAG

The Everywhere Bag measures 16.3″ x 7.3″ x 10.2″ (for reference, the personal item allowance for both Spirit and Frontier is 18″ x 8″ x 14″; the length of the bag is about a 1/2″ longer than Ryanair’s official allowance, however). It includes two top handles with a drop of 7″, along with a removable, adjustable padded shoulder strap. It’s quite heavy even when empty, at 2.8 lb. (it clocks in at 3.4 lb. with the strap), but the nylon version is a tad lighter at 2.2 lb. (2.6 lb. with the strap). By comparison, my Longchamp Le Pliage is 0.63 lb.

There are six interior pockets in total: four slip pockets, one padded laptop pocket with a snap closure, and one zippered pocket (while not a pocket, there is also a key hook inside). On the outside, there are three pockets: One zippered pouch along the trolley sleeve, one discreet slip pocket on the front, and one waterproof pocket underneath, intended for umbrellas. It does not come with a luggage tag (I purchased one to add to my bag), but does come with a dust bag to protect it while in storage. Unlike Away’s suitcases, their accessories line does not include a lifetime warranty – instead, they guarantee these products for one year.

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MY THOUGHTS ON THE AWAY EVERYWHERE BAG

After traveling with the Everywhere Bag fairly regularly for two years, I’ve grown really comfortable with using and packing this bag (more on my packing strategy in a bit). It’s become my go-to when flying, as I’m confident it will fit in the carrier’s sizer if I’m asked – even though I’ve never been asked *knocks on wood*. Is it the perfect bag? No, not quite, but it’s close enough that I’m not searching for a replacement any time soon. Here is my list of pros and cons for the Everywhere Bag:

Pros

The organization | It has just enough built-in organization while still maximizing open space in the center of the bag. I like that the pockets are along the edges of the interior and that there aren’t any dividers in the middle of the bag. This means that the pockets don’t occupy too much space when not in use, but they are there ready to be filled when I need them. The umbrella pocket comes in clutch for any last-minute small additions to the bag, even when the large compartment is ready to burst (I’ve definitely put the strength of the bag’s zippers to the test!). The zippered pocket on the trolley sleeve doesn’t hold quite as much as it appears to (when overstuffed, you can’t slide the bag over your suitcase handles), but it’s perfect for holding pens and corded headphones, two items that I leave in the pocket permanently. The front slip pocket is nice, too, because it can hold my boarding pass and phone while I’m going through security.

The look | Although it looks more like a duffle than a purse (unlike my Le Pliage tote), it’s still a very attractive bag in leather. In black, the bag is truly timeless – and it definitely has a more elevated appearance without the shoulder strap (I still leave it on, though, so I can go hands-free). It’s not devoid of scratches and surface marks after being dragged all over the world, but it still looks pretty dang good.

The trolley sleeve | Even to this day I find it incredibly satisfying to slide the Everywhere Bag over the handles of my Carry-On. My back is usually grateful for the relief of not having to carry it any longer, and thanks to the easy-rolling wheels on my suitcase, it typically takes very little effort to move my stuff around.

The size | Overall the bag is Goldilocks sized for me. It’s not massive, but it’s certainly big enough to carry what I need for a couple of nights away.

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Cons

It’s heavy | When I don’t have my suitcase with me to rest it on, the bag can get pretty heavy. If I were expecting to do a ton of walking with my packed items, I would consider switching to a backpack to save my back and shoulders.

It doesn’t always fit well under the seat | Even though the actual dimensions of the bag are slightly smaller than the limit on most airlines, sometimes low-cost carriers have a weird seat layout that encroaches on the space underneath. When this happens, I really have to shove the bag in place, and it sometimes juts out at my feet.

It doesn’t have a locking mechanism | I suppose if it did, it would weigh even more. I always expect to have this bag by my side, but if I ever need to stow it somewhere, I should easily be able to add a combination lock on the zipper pulls.

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HOW TO PACK THE EVERYWHERE BAG

Typically I pack my Everywhere Bag for one of two scenarios:

1. I’m using the bag as my sole suitcase, and I need it to carry everything for 1-3 nights.
2. I’m using the bag in combination with my Carry-On, and I need it to carry everything I want to access easily in the car/on the flight/on the train.

These two scenarios require a slightly different approach to packing, and I typically switch up the items I include. Here is a brief rundown on how I pack the Everywhere Bag in each situation:

Packing the Everywhere Bag for a Weekend

If I’m driving to stay with family or friends for the weekend, or flying a budget airline that charges extra for a carry-on bag, I’ll typically pack everything I want to bring in the Everywhere Bag. Although it’s reasonably roomy, it does fill up remarkably quickly, so I am careful to edit what I bring to just the essentials (you can see a recent example here).

The Large Slim packing cube from Away fits nicely in the bottom of the Everywhere Bag, and I pack all of my clothes in it to ensure they stay clean and protected from the rest of my items. Once that’s in place, I pack any liquids in my soft quart bag (even if I’m not flying – if something spills, I want to make sure it is contained), and place them on top. If I’m traveling with jewelry, I’ll place it in my travel case and lay it flat, along with any other toiletries (razors, deodorant, etc.) in a separate zippered pouch.

Once those are in, I’ll slide my laptop and/or iPad in the padded pocket, and slip the cords and my portable charger into the smaller pockets. If I’m flying, I’ll set my purse on top of everything before zipping it up. The final thing I pack is my curling iron or flat iron, which I slide into the umbrella pocket underneath.

What’s missing? Shoes – because if I’m traveling light, I’ll just wear one pair.

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Packing the Everywhere Bag as Secondary Luggage

If I’m packing the Everywhere Bag in addition to my Carry-On, it’s usually because I’m traveling for a longer period.

In this case, I pack all of my clothing and shoes in my suitcase and focus on packing anything I want to keep handy in the Everywhere Bag. I rely on my larger toiletry bags and sturdy quart bag to hold those items, as I usually need to pack more products for more time away. Of course, any tech goes in the Everywhere Bag for use mid-flight, and lately, I’ve been traveling with knitting projects, too.

I also still pack my jewelry in this bag in case my luggage needs to be gate-checked, and continue to use the umbrella pocket to hold my styling tools because it’s so convenient (if I need an umbrella during the trip, I can either squeeze it in alongside or use a carabiner to clip it to the outside straps). Again, if I’m flying, I’ll place my purse at the very top, and toss in a few snacks before zipping the bag shut.

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FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE EVERYWHERE BAG

I know it might seem silly to spend so much time thinking and writing about a travel bag – but I firmly believe that traveling with the right items has the potential to make your trip more enjoyable. Besides, I’d rather spend a lot of time before a trip considering what items will suit me best when I’m away than experience the frustration or discomfort of traveling with something that doesn’t work for me. Considering purchasing the Everywhere Bag to help make your travel experience more seamless? I have just a few more notes for you to review before you make your decision:

The Everywhere Bag may be a good fit for you if:

• You are seeking a dedicated travel bag
• You frequently fly low-cost carriers or prefer not to check/carry on
• You travel often with wheeled luggage and are seeking a bag that comfortably sits on top
• You like built-in organization
• You frequently fly with tech products
• You enjoy traveling with a well-curated selection of items

The Everywhere Bag is not for you if:

• You never travel with a rolling suitcase
• You never travel by plane (i.e., you’re not restricted by size)
• You are unable to bear the weight of the bag on one shoulder
• You travel with a laptop larger than 15″
• You prefer to use a bag without built-in organization

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Ready to buy? You can save $20 off your purchase of the Everywhere Bag (or any other item over $125, as long as it’s your first Away purchase) by using my referral link.

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Enjoyed this post? You may also like:

• Updated Away Carry-On Review (+ new battery housing installation)
• First Impressions of The Carry-On by Away
• How to Pack the Away Carry-On
• Pack Smart, Not Hard: A Review of Away’s Packing Cubes
• A Comparison of Carry-On Luggage from Quince and Away
• A Travel Blogger’s Review of the Solgaard Carry-On Closet
• My Travel Essentials
• How to Pack Faster
• Traveling Hands-Free with Parker Clay’s Nyala Foldover Clutch and Soto Belt Bag
• A Review of Cuyana’s Classic Leather Zipper Tote and Tote Organization Insert
• The One Accessory You Should Always Pack
• Choosing the Right Jewelry for Travel, Featuring GLDN
• Home Try-On: Three Packable Straw Hats Under $100
• Shop My Closet
• All Travel Guides Sorted by Destination
• Exclusive Discount + Promo Codes
• Real-Life Packing Lists

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Any questions about the Everywhere Bag? Leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer!